O'Neill Blasts Benitez Over Barry Claims

Martin O'Neill has dismissed as "absolutely crazy" Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's latest remarks in an escalating row over Gareth Barry.

Aston Villa manager O'Neill reacted angrily last week when news of Liverpool's £10 million bid for the England midfielder was made public.

Benitez yesterday claimed he was surprised by O'Neill's indignation because the pair had discussed the "idea" of a Barry transfer - which could include a player exchange - "20 days ago".

O'Neill today responded by saying: "What idea did I have? I've got absolutely no idea! I have no idea what he's talking about. It's absolutely crazy.

"It suggests this is a conversation that I wanted to keep going, to keep on the boiling pot. Absolutely not. It's a complete nonsense.

"This is not something I initiated and I certainly was not on the phone to him to ask him about his players either, which I think is something he's trying to refer to.

"That is not true. He mentioned players himself but I might not be interested in any of his players."

Benitez claimed yesterday that after the pair spoke, O'Neill told him he would discuss the matter with owner Randy Lerner and it could then be dealt with at the end of the season. Liverpool then made their official bid.

O'Neill reacted to this by claiming he was "particularly disappointed" with Liverpool's timing and by the fact it was made public.

He also revealed how unimpressed with the package he was by adding that Liverpool were not offering straight cash but "an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges".

Benitez yesterday claimed O'Neill had known "everything about my idea and I knew about his idea".

However, O'Neill has rubbished suggestions that Benitez's remarks somehow expose their previous conversation.

He said: I'm absolutely astonished at this story, 'Rafa Exposes O'Neill'.

"I've never denied speaking to Rafa Benitez so how can you be exposed for something you haven't denied?

"I think Rafa is being very clever here. He gives the impression that there's been constant dialogue. That's simply and utterly untrue.

"He made a phone call to me - I did not initiate the phone call. He asked about Gareth Barry and I said: 'Well he's got a testimonial and two years left to run and he's our best player.' So what would the reaction be?

"I said that I would speak to our owner - obviously because he has a big, big say in the proceedings - and I assumed he would have the same answer as myself - that Gareth wasn't for sale.

"So I'm astonished to read this. The next conversation I had with Rafa Benitez was last Friday morning when Liverpool had put in a faxed offer to us which we received on Thursday afternoon."

Benitez: Barry And Alonso Can Play Together

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has poured cold water on reports that Xabi Alonso will have to make way if the club succeed in luring Gareth Barry to Anfield.

Liverpool have recently made a power-play by testing Aston Villa's resolve with a player-plus-cash offer worth £10million for their captain, who has become a key part of England's midfield over the past months.

The Reds’ sudden interest in central players has sparked speculation that Xabi Alonso – also linked with Juve – could leave in the summer, but Benitez's latest comments lend credence to the notion that they are simply seeking reinforcements for the two holding spots in his 4-2-3-1 formation.

"(Alonso) is our player, he has a contract," Rafa insisted.

"Barry can play in three different positions, so I don't think we need to worry about this."

Juventus will sure to be keeping close tabs on the Gareth Barry situation, as despite Benitez's insistence, the outcome of this should still have an affect on their chances of prising Alonso away.

Reds - Gerrard Bid Is Fantasy

Liverpool have branded rumours of a transfer bid for Steven Gerrard from Internazionale as 'rubbish and fantasy'.

Reports in Friday's press claimed that the Italian giants are readying a colossal offer for the England international.

However, the Anfield club has dismissed the rumours outright, with a spokesman saying: "The idea is complete rubbish, fantasy, there has been no approach and no bid."

Reds skipper Gerrard, meanwhile, has reaffirmed his long-term commitment to the club, while voicing his determination to ensure Liverpool soon become a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League title race.

"I cannot see myself ever leaving Liverpool now, and what I would dearly love is to lead this club to the next level that I believe we are capable of reaching," he told the club's official website.

"I have won trophies here but there is one I am missing and I want that before I finish playing.

"I do not want to look back and say I have never been in a title race. I can see that the team is getting stronger and stronger and I can see that we are going forward.

"I feel that we are getting closer and I really believe that. We always say this every year but it will be an important summer because we need to keep the momentum.

"The manager's signings will be important as they always are. I have been lucky as a footballer and I've won more things than most players, but I am greedy because I always want more. I want to win as many trophies as I can with Liverpool."

Gerrard Wants Title Bid Next Year

Steven Gerrard says he expects to finish his career at Liverpool but is desperate for the side to challenge for the Premier League title.

The midfielder has repeatedly been linked with a move, and the club have dismissed as "fantasy" last week's reports of a bid from Inter Milan.

Gerrard said: "I cannot see myself ever leaving Liverpool now."

But he added: "I do not want to look back and say I have never been in a title race."

Gerrard has played in two Champions League finals with Liverpool, lifting the trophy in 2005, but the side have again failed to keep pace with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League.

"I cannot see myself ever leaving Liverpool now, and what I would dearly love is to lead this club to the next level that I believe we are capable of reaching," he told the club's website.

"I have won trophies here but there is one I am missing and I want that before I finish playing.

"I do not want to look back and say I have never been in a title race.

"I can see that the team is getting stronger and stronger and I can see that we are going forward. I feel that we are getting closer and I really believe that."

Liverpool have secured fourth place and Champions League qualification, but Gerrard is keen to see more players arrive over the summer to strengthen the squad.

"We always say this every year but it will be an important summer because we need to keep the momentum.

"The manager's signings will be important as they always are. I have been lucky as a footballer and I've won more things than most players, but I am greedy because I always want more.

"I want to win as many trophies as I can with Liverpool. That is why the summer is important.

"We are a young team with a lot of promise and if the manager can get the right support then we could take an important step forward.

"We are disappointed we did not maintain a challenge in the league for longer than we did. The points gap between us and the top two is not particularly pleasant viewing for anyone here at Anfield.

"The boss is on record as saying he wants some players and if we get some of the ones he wants, and if they can have the same impact that guys like Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel and Ryan Babel have had.

"Their performances this season have seen us take a step forward. But I think there is a hell of a lot more to come from us."

Kuyt: I Am Feeling Good

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has revealed he is satisfied with his situation at Anfield following a disappointing patch earlier in the season.

The Dutchman seemed to be playing himself out of the club during the middle of the term, fans and pundits alike questioning whether he was good enough for Liverpool and why he was being favoured over Peter Crouch.

The former Feyenoord star had been struggling with personal issues, most notably the loss of his father, with whom he was very close.

But the 28-year-old has hit an excellent run of form over the last two months or so since being moved out to the right side of Rafa Benitez’s attack, and his recent efforts in the Champions League have garnered comparisons to Liverpool cult hero Craig Johnston.

And though Kuyt is disappointed that the Reds’ European dream was ended in the semi-finals by Chelsea, he insists he is happy on Merseyside and hopes to build on his good form next season.

"It is of course unfortunate that we again have not been able to achieve success in the final stages of the Champions League," he told Dutch station Radio 538. "But I feel good in myself.

"I knew an inferior period due to personal circumstances but I can now put that behind me.

"Now it goes nicely."

Kuyt has been named alongside Liverpoool team-mate Ryan Babel in a provisional Holland squad for Euro 2008, after being dropped from the team by coach Marco van Basten during their qualifying campaign.

Liverpool Intensify Behrami Interest

According to Swiss media reports, Liverpool are preparing to approach Lazio with a formal bid for their highly rated defender Valon Behrami.

Behrami, 22, has become a potential transfer target for a number of top clubs since even before his match-winning display against deadly rivals Roma in March.

Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Milan, Liverpool, Valencia, Sevilla, West Ham, Portsmouth, Manchester City and Palermo are all said to be tracking the talented Swiss international, who is equally adept on the outside of defense or on the wing.

Asked about Liverpool's increasingly firm interest, Behrami's agent Alessandro Beltrami indicated that his client would be open to a move: "Maybe ... perhaps their interest will bring a rush for him."

Word is that the Biancoceleste are determined to hang on to Behrami, but would likely not turn down an offer in excess of 10m euro for the Kosovo-born wide-man, who still officially has three years remaining on his contract with the Italian capital club.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito will now have to make a full-court press in order to try to keep the player, who openly criticised him for leaving the stadium well before the whistle during the 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Milan earlier this season.